Three people have been injured in a serious two-car collision on State Highway 33 at Paengaroa in the western Bay of Plenty.

Emergency services were sent to the scene at 5.30 pm.

One man with life threatening injuries was trapped in his car and had to be extracted by the Fire Service.

Two other men have serious but not life threatening injuries.

The road's blocked, and diversions will remain in place for some time as police investigate then clear the crash scene.